Эрин Хантер - Path Of A Warrior

“I know you do,” Shadowstar replied patiently. Skystar had spent much of tonight’s full-moon Gathering explaining his concerns about the Twolegs. “But why would Twolegs want your territory? They have their own places.”

Skystar sighed, his shoulders drooping. “You don’t understand. You would feel differently if it were ShadowClan’s territory at risk. At least promise me that if the Twolegs keep patrolling on SkyClan’s territory, you’ll stand with me at the next Gathering. We’ll need to convince all five Clans to act together.”

“Of course I will,” Shadowstar promised, touching her nose to his. But I’m sure I won’t have to. What could Twolegs want in the forest?

She and Sun Shadow at last said good-bye to Skystar and headed out of Fourtrees toward their own camp. The full moon hung high overhead, lighting their path through the darkness, and Shadowstar matched her pace to her deputy’s, both running lightly through the night. In the moonlight, Sun Shadow’s slender, dark-furred shape reminded Shadowstar so much of her brother, Moon Shadow.

Shadowstar sighed. Lately she’d been thinking of her littermate, Sun Shadow’s father, so often. Moon Shadow had been the cat she’d felt closest to, and he’d died—horribly, in a fire—not long after they had traveled from the mountains to the forest, many seasons ago. Part of me died with him, she thought now.

She wished that Moon Shadow had lived to see the life she and the other cats from the mountains had built here: their five thriving Clans, the peace between them, and the fine hunting around their territories, so different from the starvation they’d fled. They’d found the future they’d been hoping for when they left the mountains, but her brother had not been with them to enjoy it.

Sun Shadow, who’d arrived from the mountains long after Moon Shadow’s death, had never known his father. But he had Moon Shadow’s determination and pride. He’ll be a brave leader one day, Shadowstar thought. When she lost her final life—far in the future, she hoped—he’d guide ShadowClan well.

They’d crossed the Thunderpath onto ShadowClan land and were surrounded by pine trees when Sun Shadow suddenly stopped, sniffing the breeze.

“What is it?” Shadowstar asked, halting beside him. Before her deputy could answer, she scented it herself. “Dogs!” The thick, meaty scent made her wrinkle her nose in disgust, even as her chest constricted with tension. What are dogs doing on our territory?

“Do you think our Clanmates could have run into them heading back to camp?” Sun Shadow asked, his mew sounding much younger and less sure of himself than usual.

Shadowstar tasted the air. She could scent that several dogs had been here very recently, and ShadowClan would have passed this way on their way home. “There’s no fear-scent,” she said hesitantly, “no blood or anger. I don’t think our Clanmates met the dogs.”

“Thank StarClan,” Sun Shadow said. Then a rough bark sounded in the distance— not distant enough, Shadowstar thought—and he stiffened. More barks and howls joined in. Sun Shadow’s eyes rounded with fear. “They’re coming this way. What should we do?”

Shadowstar thought quickly. No dogs should be taken lightly, but those barks are deep enough to come from large dogs. We have to lead them away from ShadowClan’s camp. “Let’s head back toward the Thunderpath,” she decided. “Maybe they won’t be able to track our scents over the Thunderpath stink.”

Together, they hurried back toward the edge of ShadowClan’s territory. The full moon was beginning to move down the sky, throwing long shadows across the ground. As she crossed beneath the low-hanging branches of a pine tree, Shadowstar’s pelt prickled and the fur on her back rose. It felt like unfriendly eyes were watching her. Hesitating, she looked up into the tree, her steps slowing.

The branches above her were empty. The smell of the dogs was stronger than ever, and a howl sounded close behind them.

“What is it?” Sun Shadow hissed.

“This way,” Shadowstar told him, turning to run parallel to the Thunderpath. “Let’s put some distance between us and our camp.” Flicking her tail, she dismissed the odd feeling of being watched. Who could it be? There had been peace between the five Clans for many moons now, and no rogue or loner would dare attack a Clan cat on their own territory.

The snarls and howls were louder now, the dogs eagerly following their scent. They’re going to catch up with us, she thought. Flattening her ears, she ran faster, Sun Shadow by her side.

Four dogs burst out of the trees behind them, barking. Shadowstar’s heart pounded, and her breath was quick and shallow. We should have climbed up onto a branch, she thought, but there was no time now, and they were away from the trees, the hard surface of the Thunderpath beneath their paws. She stretched her legs and ran her fastest; they were almost to the Twoleg bridge. Maybe they won’t chase us far.

A fifth dog, a shaggy brown one even bigger than the rest, stepped out of the shadows to block their path. It snarled, showing sharp white teeth. Shadowstar and Sun Shadow skidded to a stop, their claws scraping the Thunderpath. Panting, they started to double back—but the dogs who had been chasing them were too close now, their jaws gaping and their tails waving. Their scent was overwhelming. Where are they coming from?

The warriors pressed together, craning their necks to watch all five dogs. Crouching low, Sun Shadow hissed, and an answering growl came from the dogs. Two were black, both almost as big as the shaggy brown one. One was medium-sized, close-furred, and brown, and one was smaller and white with curling fur, its pink tongue dangling as it panted eagerly.

She could feel Sun Shadow trembling.

“Let’s take on the smallest one together,” Shadowstar murmured quickly. “Then we’ll head for the trees. Once we’re up a tree, they won’t be able to reach us.” The largest dog was coming closer, growling gutturally.

Sun Shadow nodded and took a deep breath. “I’m ready,” he mewed, his voice quiet.

Shadowstar tensed her hindquarters. “Now!” she yowled, and dashed toward the white dog, Sun Shadow a blur of motion beside her.

Shadowstar swiped her claws across the white dog’s face, and it flinched backward, blood running from the scratch. Sun Shadow launched himself at the dog’s side, clawing at its shoulder, and it turned, yelping, to face the new threat.

“Go!” Shadowstar jumped onto the dog’s back and dug in her claws. It howled, twisting and snapping, trying to reach her, and Sun Shadow dived between its legs and came out behind it, dashing toward the trees. The other dogs were barking in confusion and rage.

Balanced on the dog’s back, Shadowstar looked toward the trees, gauging how far she’d have to run. For a moment, she thought she saw amber eyes—cat eyes—blinking at her from the shadowed branches. Was help coming? But the eyes didn’t move. They just watched. Shadowstar leaped from the dog’s back, heading for safety.

In midair, she was suddenly jerked back, a sharp pain shooting through her hindquarters. One of the larger black dogs had caught her in its jaws as she jumped. Like prey, she thought, horrified, and twisted to claw at its muzzle. Her vision clouded with agony.

The dog snarled, shaking her as she tried desperately to run, her forepaws churning. Through her shock, Shadowstar could see Sun Shadow near the tree line, looking back in horror.

Run, she thought desperately, run! ShadowClan needs you.

Sun Shadow turned and began to run— back, toward the dogs, toward Shadowstar.